Which Parties Can Be Held Liable For A Car Accident?
Which Parties Can Be Held Liable For A Car Accident?
If you have been in an auto accident in the Portland-Vancouver metro area, you kneed to know who to hold liable for the damages that you suffered because of the crash. Oregon and Washington both require all drivers to buy auto insurance coverage, and those policies must carry minimum liability limits.
In Oregon, the auto insurance must have $25,000 for the injury or death of a single person, $50,000 total coverage for the injury or death of multiple people, $10,000 property damage coverage, $15,000 for personal injury protection (PIP), and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury caused by underinsured or uninsured motorist.
In Washington state, you must have $25,000 liability coverage for injuries or death to another person, $50,000 liability coverage for injuries or death to all other people, and $10,000 coverage for damage to another person’s property, or have a liability bond of no less than $60,000 filed by a surety bond company that is authorized to conduct business in the state. You can self-insure if you have 26 or more vehicles.
Pursuing Damages After An Auto Accident
If another party’s negligence were to blame for your damages, you can pursue a claim against that party and their insurer. If your damages exceed their insurance limits, or if they did not have insurance, you will need to file a claim through your own insurance coverage if you have underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage or if you have PIP coverage.
Filing a claim with the insurance company can be challenging, and you will need to have supporting evidence and documentation. You will need to keep documentation to support your claim and to show your damages. You will need a written estimate to repair the damages, copies of medical bills, copies of medical records, the accident report, statements from eyewitnesses, and proof of missed work and lost wages.
Insurance companies are going to want to get by paying as little as they can following an accident, and they have legal representation on staff. It is wise to consult with a personal injury attorney before you file an auto accident injury claim to try to recoup your losses for your damages. If you have been in an auto accident in the Portland-Vancouver area, call the Harlan Law Firm to have your claim reviewed by an experienced personal injury attorney.